BRAHMACHARYA - 23. SELECT SAYINGS ON SEX & CELIBACY - Sri Swami Sivanda - The Practice of Celibacy - HQ Full Book.

This chapter explores the ancient and profound teachings on celibacy (Brahma-Charya), drawing from sacred scriptures, wise sages, and profound spiritual figures from various traditions. The teachings encapsulate the power and importance of abstaining from sexual pleasure and the remarkable spiritual strength that arises from practicing celibacy. The concept of Brahma-Charya, as well as the wisdom from sources such as the Vedas, Upanishads, the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna, and Lord Buddha, among others, presents a compelling case for the life of discipline and self-control. 

The Meaning of Brahma-Charya
Brahma-Charya, a key concept in Hindu philosophy, refers to the practice of sexual abstinence, emphasizing self-restraint in all aspects—physically, mentally, and verbally. The root of the word "Brahma" connects it to the Supreme Consciousness, suggesting that celibacy is not merely the avoidance of sexual activity, but an integral part of spiritual growth and a means of attaining higher consciousness. Brahma-Charya is seen as the path to spiritual enlightenment, divine energy, and the cultivation of inner peace. According to Yajna-Sacrificevalkya, Brahma-Charya is the complete abstinence from sexual pleasure—Maithuna—throughout one’s life, irrespective of one’s circumstances or conditions. This view is reinforced by Daksha Smriti, which expands on the notion by identifying the eight aspects of sensual engagement—such as thinking about or praising a woman, glancing at her, or speaking to her—against which Brahma-Charya stands as the ultimate discipline. In this framework, Brahma-Charya is the opposite of indulging in or even contemplating sexual actions. 

The Power of Celibacy in Spirituality
Brahma-Charya is often depicted as a means to gain supreme power, not in a worldly sense but in terms of spiritual might. The Mahabharata offers a vivid illustration of this by claiming that knowledge of the four Vedas and the ability to lead a righteous life are valuable, but the true greatness lies in perfect celibacy. The text emphasizes that through celibacy, one attains the highest form of spiritual power, one that transcends all earthly limitations. A celibate person is regarded as superior to someone who possesses Vedic knowledge without the power of Brahma-Charya. Lord Sankara, one of the most revered saints of Hinduism, provides a powerful insight into the transformative effect of celibacy. He suggests that a celibate who conserves their semen—considered the vital life force—gains not only immense spiritual power but also divine status. By maintaining complete chastity, the practitioner becomes aligned with the cosmic laws, akin to divine beings. The text affirms that the preservation of the semen is a core component of spiritual growth, providing a direct connection to the Supreme. Similarly, the Chhandogya Upanishad speaks of the profound spiritual benefits of Brahma-Charya. It suggests that those who attain purity through chastity gain access to the "world of God"—a heavenly existence where they are free from the limitations of earthly desires and attachments. The freedom attained through Brahma-Charya is portrayed as eternal and unshakeable, signifying the ultimate liberation. 

Celibacy as a Path to Liberation
Brahma-Charya is not just a personal discipline but a means to liberation. According to Lord Buddha, a wise person should avoid married life and its attachments, comparing it to a burning pit. Through this metaphor, he illustrates the dangers of clinging to sensual pleasures, which only lead to suffering. The cessation of sensual desire, according to Buddha, is the path to freedom from sinful existence and the attainment of true spiritual peace. In this context, celibacy becomes a key tenet in the Buddhist path toward Nirvana—freedom from suffering and the cycle of rebirth. In a similar vein, Narada, the revered sage, teaches that sensual desires, though seemingly harmless at first, can grow into a destructive force if one falls into bad company. These desires can overpower the mind, leading to the loss of spiritual focus and the degradation of one’s life. 

The Consequences of Sensuality
Both Hindu and Buddhist traditions emphasize the dangers of indulgence in sensuality. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna warns that sensuality destroys not only physical health but also spiritual strength. He asserts that lust, when left unchecked, destroys life force, memory, vitality, wealth, and fame. The devotee’s ability to focus on the divine becomes hindered by the allure of worldly desires, creating a barrier between the self and the Supreme. The Siva Samhita, a text dedicated to the teachings of Lord Shiva, also presents the idea that wasting vital energies—particularly through the release of semen—leads to premature death. Conversely, preserving one’s semen is seen as a means to prolong life and maintain spiritual vitality. Celibacy is thus portrayed as a form of spiritual hygiene, where the energy that would otherwise be dissipated in sensual pleasures is retained and converted into divine energy, enabling the practitioner to reach higher states of consciousness.

Celibacy in the Life of the Ascetic
For the ascetic (Sannyasi) who has renounced worldly attachments, Brahma-Charya becomes a rule of life. The ascetic is warned to avoid the sight of a woman altogether, as even the slightest contact can destabilize the delicate balance of their inner spiritual life. This practice of abstinence is emphasized as being of immense value, both in terms of spiritual progress and physical well-being. Atreya, an ancient teacher of Ayurveda, emphasizes the superiority of celibacy, stating that while caution in diet has threefold benefits, abstinence from sexual intercourse offers even greater spiritual value. The ascetic’s single-minded focus on renunciation and chastity allows them to transcend the distractions of the material world, freeing them from the desires that bind ordinary individuals to the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. 

The Role of Sexual Energy in Spiritual Awakening
The teachings in this chapter suggest that the energy tied to sexual desires, when transmuted, becomes a powerful tool for spiritual awakening. The idea that conserving sexual energy can lead to the realization of the divine within is a recurring theme in many Eastern traditions. The discipline of celibacy allows practitioners to direct their vital energies inward, fostering the growth of higher consciousness and spiritual insight. 

The sayings and teachings presented in this chapter emphasize the transformative power of celibacy and its vital role in spiritual practice. Brahma-Charya is not merely about the denial of physical pleasure, but a path toward divine realization and liberation. By conserving sexual energy, the practitioner attains physical vitality, spiritual power, and mental clarity, enabling them to transcend worldly attachments and experience the divine presence within. Whether in Hindu, Buddhist, or other spiritual traditions, celibacy is celebrated as a sacred discipline that leads to the highest levels of spiritual enlightenment and freedom. The wisdom contained in these texts serves as a timeless guide for those seeking to live a life of purity, discipline, and devotion to the divine.

#SexImpulse #ReproductiveInstinct #SexualDesire #MindAndBody #SexualImpulse #SpiritualAwakening #KrishnaTeachings #Brahmacharya #MentalPurity #DesireControl #SpiritualGrowth #JapaMeditation #Vichara #Detachment #SelfRealization #LustAndDesire #SubconsciousMind #SexualCuriosity #CelibacyJourney #ControlOfMind #MentalDiscipline